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@uiten tates atrat @fitta SAMUEL S. SPURGlN, 0F JACKSNVILLE, lLLlNOiS.

Letters Patent Ne. 63,322, dated Ztfarch 26, 1867.

IMPROVED RIDING-SADDLE.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONGERN:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL S. SPURGIN, of Jacksonville, Morgan county,Statc of Illinois, have invented n new and useful improvement in Saddles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the nature, construction, and operation of the same, sniiicicnt to enable an expert skilled in the art to which it appetains to construct and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are made part of this specification, and in which the same figures refer to similar parts.

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section.

Figure 2 is a perspective View.

Figure 3 is a vertical transverse section.

The elastic membra-ne whichis strained between the pommel and cantle, and supports the sea-t, is fastened to and upon the springs, whose ends rest upon the side-plates.

In thedrawings, A represents the frameV of the pommel, and B that of the cantle, C being the connecting side-plates ot' leather which join the two. rlhe pommel has a strengthening iron strap, D, which is riveted thereto, and the cantle is similarly provided -with a strap, E. The upper portion of each side-bar has a plate, F, upon which rest the ends of the arched springs, G G, which support the elastic membrane, H, which is strained from the pommel to the cantle, and supports the padded seat, which is not shown inthe drawings. The strained membrane H is by preference composed of India rubber, and may be partially vulcanized. It is bent around the edge of` the ponimel, as shown in figsA l and 2, and tacked beneath the arch. Along the sideplates and upon the cantle it is tacked by its edge, and at such a tension that it becomes smooth and tits closely upon springs G G, to which it is attached by rivets g, The springs G arc riveted to the membrane H at their 1nid-lengths, and at their endsrcst upon the metallic plate on the side-bars C, the slots a, in the springs Gr, per mitting the longitudinal mot-ion offthe springs as they are compressed by the weight of the rider, while the screws b keep the springs in their proper position. d is the loop from which the stirrup-strap is suspended, and is attached to the polnniel and side-bar respectively. The eantle is covered with a roll of leather, which is sewn thereon. IThe strained membrane H forms an elastic support for the seat, and when it is pressed expands as the springs collapse; if the membrane be of non-elastic material, it will tear loose, and it is of but little use to provide yielding springs unless the strained membrane be elastic, so as to yield with the springs.

By the mode (if-attaching the membrane H to the pommel, the latter is not weakened, as in those saddles which dcrive'a part of thc elasticity of the seat from springs placed within a hole bored in the pommel.

The upturned edge of the membrane H, in tig. 2, exposes the mode of arranging the springs CT on the sideplates. This arrangementV affords elasticity between the springs,l as they are not united, but have free play forward and backward to the extent permit-ted by thc membrane H, to which they are severally attached, each spring acting independently oi` the others. v

This arrangement is adapted lto any kind of trees, such as Spanish, half Spanish, Somerset, or other trees for mens saddles, and also to trees for ladies7 saddles, the membrane in each case acting as the straining of the tree, and forming a basis for the seat. v

Having described my invention, what claim therein as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The arrangement in the-saddle of the springs G G, supported on the sidc-plates, and the elastic straining piece H, fastened to the springs and to the pommel and eantle respectively, substantially as described.

l SAMUEL S. SPURGIN.

Witnesses:

EDWARD H. KNIGHT, SoLoN C. Kanon. 

